Looking Back 1/16

Friday, January 16, 2004

60 years ago

SIKESTON - The Sikeston Army Flying School is not one of those affected by an announcement that a number of air schools would be closed. No orders have been received in connection with the local school.

40 years ago

BELL CITY - Joel A. Montgomery, chairman of the board of Planters Bank, announced the election of T.E. Campbell, owner of the Bell City Gin, as a new director at the annual stockholders meeting Monday.

20 years ago

BENTON - Benton has a new fire truck. The 1983 General Motors truck which will pump 750 gallons of water per minute, was approved for service Saturday after it underwent pressure checks, according to Benton Fire Chief David Bollinger.

10 years ago

SIKESTON - The Sikeston Food Bank was recognized Thursday by Eighth District Congressman Bill Emerson with the Victory Against Hunger Award along with a $1,000 grant. With the flood this summer, the Food Bank took the workload increase in stride, keeping the area's hungry fed. Emerson publicly recognized Doreen Johnson, executive director and other Food Bank employees.

CHARLESTON - Southeast Missouri suffered another economic setback Thursday when Brown Group Inc. said it will eliminate 5,600 jobs in closing five factories and more than 100 company-owned Regal and Connie shoe stores. The shoe factory division of Brown Shoe Co. in Charleston was closed in August 1991. Officials said 1,700 jobs will be lost as shoe factories will be closed, including Caruthersville and the centralized cutting facility in Charleston. At Caruthersville, 412 employees will lose their jobs. Rep. Bill Emerson blamed the plant closings on the government's failure to halt foreign shoe imports.